Originally Posted by
Pilot DAR
The photos show the parachute compartment uncovered, but the straps which connect the parachute to the airframe do not appear to be opened. From this, I conclude that the parachute was not deployed. The flaps appear to be extended, suggesting a planned approach descent. If I understand Cirrus parachute use correctly, there is an altitude below which the parachute cannot be effectively deployed. Perhaps they were below that altitude.
The appearance of the engine and cowl as a whole having been peeled downward, and lots of mud sprayed around, suggests a sudden stop in soft ground (as opposed to a rollout). If the ground were firm, contact with a high rate of descent can also do this to an airframe.
In any case, this was a sudden stop for the occupants. The injuries described are consistent with the sudden stop.
The rescue services approach small plane wrecks rather gingerly now that many microlights and the cirrus have ballistic parachutes, when I minced my Maule the first thing the fire dept. guy asked upon arrival was "does it have a chute? "
As for FR24 I absolutely love it, it showed my Maule doing 240 kts on today's 90kts bimble.